PUBLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENT: TELECOMMUNICATION ACCESS FOR COMMUNICATIONS-IMPAIRED PERSONS BOARD:

The Telecommunication Access for Communications-Impaired Persons Board [TACIP] was established by the Legislature in 1987 [Laws 1987 c308 s2]. The board determined the priority of eligible applicants for initial distribution of communication devices and the circumstances requiring more than one device per household, and worked to develop, implement, and maintain a statewide toll-free telephone relay service to enhance communication between persons using TDD (telecommunications devices for the deaf) and persons without such special devices.

Appointed by the governor, the board consisted of 12 persons, including the commissioners of the human services and public service departments or their designees, five communicationsimpaired persons, one communication disabilities professional, one person representing the state's largest local exchange company, one member of the Minnesota Telephone Association, one person representing companies providing inter-LATA [local access transport area] service, and one person representing the organization the board contracted with to provide telecommunication service.

The board was abolished in 1995 [Laws 1995 c190 sec15] and its responsibilities were transferred to the departments of public service and human services. A Telecommunications Access for Communication hnpaired Persons unit was continued in the public service department.

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Included are the board's annual reports to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (1987, 1989-1993), minutes of the full board (1987-1995) and its executive (1991-1995), equipment distribution program (EDP; 1987-1995), message relay service (MRS; 1990-1995), and legislative (1990-1994) committees; public hearing transcripts (1992); and subject files (1984-2001). Also includes an economic review report (1990) and a strategic planning report (1992).

The minutes files contain agendas, transcripts, minutes, reports, and supporting documents, detailing the general administration and operation of the board, its work on related legislation, and its administration of the MRS, which allowed persons to use a teletype-writer/telecommunications device for the deaf [TDD] to communicate with users of standard telephones, and the EDP, which oversaw distribution of specialized telecommunication equipment to eligible persons.

The transcripts detail 1992 hearings held in Mankato, Duluth, St. Paul, and Fergus Falls to collect feedback from the board’s consumers, particularly those who used the MRS or EDP.

The subject files, which include correspondence, reports, fact books, and client photographs, detail a variety of the board’s activities including its relation with the Public Utilities Commission, the MRS, a telecommunications consulting service proposal, and the EDP. The EDP files include a program manual, photographs of equipment, promotional items, and materials documenting the program’s 1998 tenth anniversary celebration, particularly a client testimonial videotape.

While the majority of these records were created by the board, a few appear to be from its successor in the public service department.

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota. Telecommunication Access for Communications-Impaired Persons Board. Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession numbers: 997-72; 2005-34; 2026-6

Processing Information:

Processed by: Processing Staff, 1997; Maria Plonski, January 2005; Charles Rodgers, September 2025

Catalog ID number: 990017349700104294

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Data transmission systems -- Minnesota.

Hard of hearing people -- Services for -- Minnesota.

Hearings.

Telecommunications devices for deaf people -- Equipment and supplies -- Minnesota -- Photographs.

Telecommunications devices for deaf people -- Law and legislation -- Minnesota.

Organizations:

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Minnesota. Department of Public Service.

Document Types:

Photographs.

Transcripts.

Videotapes.

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